Zulu Dawn:Col. Durnford: Sergeant, you're to ride back to Natal. When you see the Bishop tell him, that is, tell his daughter, that I was obliged to remain here with my infantry. Now go. God go with you. Sgt. Maj. Kambula: I leave God Jesus with you.

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Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 7:59 am

GW Smith Sgnt 2/24/1618 B company. Was at RD but couldnt have been at isandlwana.

bookworm

Posts : 13Join date : 2011-02-21

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 10:15 am

Hi All,

I think there is some misunderstanding, Sgt Smith of B Company who was at Rorke's Drift had the regimental number 2/24 / 1387. His ful name was George Henry Smith and he died on 20th January 1925 in London where he had lived ever since his discharge from the army on 31st July 1883.

I don't think the newspaper report is referring to the Rorke's Drift Sgt Smith.

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 10:29 am

Hi BookwormThe info I posted on George Smith was extracted from the RDVC, I do know that he wrote to his wife after the battle, she lived in London. So conundrum time again, unfortunatly I dont have access to my library at the moment ( bloody builders).

Regards

bookworm

Posts : 13Join date : 2011-02-21

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 11:21 am

Hi Springbock,

I know what thats like! You have my sypathy, nothing more frustrating.

I've checked the Noble 24th and Son's of England and both quote 1387 as the number for Sgt Smith of RD. I've also had a look at all the other 'Smiths' for Isandlwana, and none appear with the initials G W or that number but there are quite a few George Smiths in the 1st bttn. It would seem that graves 1879 has presented us all with another head scratching mystery to solve. :lol!:

CheersBookworm

1879graves

Posts : 2538Join date : 2009-03-03Location : Devon

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 12:10 pm

Hi All

Quote :

presented us all with another head scratching mystery to solve.

:lol!: :lol!: :lol!:

The article appeared in the Sunday Times, Sunday 16 October 1927George Henry Smith of RD died on 20th January 1925, two years before this article.

bookworm

Posts : 13Join date : 2011-02-21

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 1:09 pm

Yes but the head scratcher is WHO was this G.W.Smith?

CheersBookworm

1879graves

Posts : 2538Join date : 2009-03-03Location : Devon

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 1:21 pm

Here is a Corporal 955 G.W. Smith, 90th Regiment listed on the Medal Roll.He was entitled to the 1877-8-9 Clasp to his medal.This is all the information I have on him.

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 2:20 pm

Right having thouroghly messed up everyones day, time to appologise. 1618 is not George Smith but G Shearman. I shall have to of course blame the bloody builders.I keep trying to throw bricks at them but they are ever so adept in dodging.

Mia Culpa

Regards

bookworm

Posts : 13Join date : 2011-02-21

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Mon May 30, 2011 3:12 pm

You're flogging a dead horse with that Springbok, dodging bricks is part of a builders basic training, (health and safety regulations no doubt)

CheersBookworm

impi

Posts : 2306Join date : 2010-07-02Age : 38

Subject: Re: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Only Fade Away. Tue May 31, 2011 4:02 pm

was he listed as wounded at Ulundi.

He's mentions that Colonel W. MacGregor was in the MIdland Mounted Rifles. This unit was raised in April 1901 (Boerwar). Just wondering if the old boys got his wars mixed up.